Forever Nomad is a comprehensive guide to world travel, for first time travelers, long-time nomads, and everyone in between. Learn all the tricks nomads use to get plane tickets for a fraction of what normal people pay, how to maximize points and loyalty programs, how to access airport lounges and other VIP perks, and how to work and make friends around the world. You’ll even discover how to have multiple homes around the world for less than it costs for a one-bedroom in your home city. Most importantly, learn how to travel in harmony with regular life, rather than have it become a stressful disruption as it is for most people. Forever Nomad is a book about making the entire world into your world, and doing so in a sustainable and enjoyable way.
I think this is a good orientation read for anyone curious about the digital nomad lifestyle or who are just starting on their journey. While he offers a fair amount of "why-to" this book is quite practical for the novice, offering a lot of "how-to."
Why Tynan fails to deal with adequately is the notion of the human need for rootedness. Yes, technology has enabled us to travel and to take our work with us. But there's no proof that humans are either suited for a life of endless travel, or that this in itself is a good to be sought. I don't think he is trying to dazzle the reader with his stories (though I am sure some are) and while he may think it's cool to buy his london friend a budget airline flight so that the friend could enter security and have a lounge breakfast with him in the airport at a layover, I simply ask: why not have a homebase? A home is a place where you can be part of a neighborhood and a community. Where you can establish routines which aid your physical and mental health. Where you can have friends. You can always *try* to do all these things from the road. But they will be futile attempts to mimic what humans have been doing just fine for millennia: living in one home. When I find someone who is an always traveling nomad who has a life or a set of virtues that I would actually care to follow, then I will gladly perk up and listen. But traveling for travel's sake? There's a restlessness there that is not being addressed, and with all the leisure time he purports to have? That's a problem.
For those similarly disappointed that the author fails to address the large gaping hole in the *purpose* behind the "forever nomad" life I would recommend the Art of Stillness by Pico Ayer. Someone who has traveled extensively and came to realize that at the end, that wasn't the point, after all.
I purchased this book because I do read and enjoy Tynan's blog. However, this isn't exactly new content if you follow him or other digital nomads. It was fairly well-written and an easy, engaging read, and I'd recommend it for someone just starting to think about travel.
Tämä kirja oli samaan aikaan todella hyvä sekä paikoitellen erittäin ärsyttävä.
Pidin kirjassa siitä, kuinka monipuolisesti se käsitteli diginomadina elämistä ja otti huomioon lukuisia siihen liittyviä asioita ja yksityiskohtia. Kirjassa puhuttiin ystävyyssuhteista, lasten kanssa matkustamisesta sekä kaikenlaisista pienistä asioista, joita diginomadin elämässä on hyvä miettiä – kuten esimerkiksi siitä, kuinka tärkeää on tietää, miksi matkustaa, sillä pelkkä matkustaminen itsessään ei tuo iloa, vaan on vain väline sen jonkun itselleen tärkeämmän saavuttamiseen/kokemiseen.
Mikä kirjassa kuitenkin ärsytti oli sen lentokeskeisyys. En itse ajattele, että elämä diginomadina tarkoittaisi jatkuvaa lentelyä ympäriinsä, mutta kirjoittajalle se tarkoittaa nimenomaan sitä, mikä tuntuu jotenkin todella vastuuttomalta ajatustavalta vuonna 2018 kirjoitetussa kirjassa.
Kirjassa käsitellään paljon lentojen buukkaamista, loungeja, kantisohjelmia ja ylipäätään kaikkea jatkuvaan lentämiseen liittyvää ja nyt kun mietin, ei kirjassa liiemmin edes taidettu puhua mistään muusta tavasta matkustaa jos ei lasketa julkisella liikenteellä kulkemista reissukohteessa.
Kirja oli kirjoitettu selkeästi amerikkalaiselle kohdeyleisölle ja monet sen jutuista pätivät oikeastaan vain tähän yleisöön. Kirjasta sai silti kuitenkin paljon irti näin Pohjoismaista tulevanakin.
Sanoisin siis, että pidin paljon kirjan “hyvistä osioista”, mutta ärsyynnyin samalla valtavasti siitä, kuinka diginomadina olemista lähestyttiin ajatuksella, että se tarkoittaa ihan jatkuvaa lentelyä sinne tänne ja glamorisoitiin sellaista “vapaata elämää”.
Itselleni ei myöskään kolahtanut se, kuinka kirjassa lopulta päädyttiin suosittelemaan asuntojen ostamista porukalla ympäri maailmaa ja suosittelemaan niihin huonekaluja.
Minulla ei ole lapsia, mutta parhaiten kirjasta jäi mieleen Leo Babautan kirjoittama kappale, jossa hän kertoo, kuinka he matkustavat vaimonsa ja kuuden lapsensa kanssa ja miten paljon heidän lapsena ottavat osaa matkan suunnitteluun sekä vastuuta matkalla ollessa. Koko perheen matkustaessa jokaisella on vain käsimatkatavaroihin mahtuva reppu ja kaikki pesevät itse pyykkiään käsin. Lasten kanssa matkustamisesta puhutaan usein haastavana ja tavaramäärää tuskaillaan, joten oli virkistävää kuulla, kuinka Babauta nosti lasten kanssa matkustelua esiin loistavana ja opettavaisena kokemuksena lapsille.
Jos olet kiinnostunut diginomadin elämästä, voi kirjasta saada hyviä ajatuksia ja ideoita, mutta varaudu tosiaan siihen, että teos on hyvin jenkkikeskeinen ja ainoa diginomadielämän toteuttamistapa on jatkuva paikasta toiseen lentäminen.
Read this book as I travel a lot and was intrigued to find out about some of the tips and tricks advertised. It’s a good overview for someone thinking about going nomad but bear in mind that the travel related advice (and other parts of the book) are extremely US centric and will be irrelevant for anyone based in other parts of the world. The depth of some topics is also limited, eg the visa and immigration section could outline the possible issues arising from working in different countries, but instead has nuggets of extreme insight like explaining that a multiple entry visa allows someone to enter a country multiple times. Interesting book as the author’s experience in the topic is clearly rich, but it won’t blow the mind of a seasoned traveller.
Tips and tricks of an travel expert for new travelers or those looking to do more
Tynan is well known for his unique travel gear list and travel philosophies. All of which is reflected in this book - travel light, memorable experiences, tea, and nomadic lifestyle. Great overview across all these themes but nothing in depth, but a reflection of someone who has lived and breathed these themes.
A good quick read of an hour and even as a seasoned traveller i found myself learning a few things to share with friends (ie jetlag prevention via hydration). Pick this up and you'll be surprised at the little gems you found useful!
I’ve been traveling extensively since I was an infant, with two parents born in foreign countries and a love of visiting others. I thought I knew everything about traveling strategically, and had even considered writing a book on it. No more. This book contains so many perspectives, tips, and sound advice for the frequent traveler or digital nomad I’m simply astounded. My partner and I are moving from San Francisco to Mexico in October to become digital nomads and this will be my handbook. Thanks Tynan!
Quick/easy to read. Coherent writer and very digestible content.
Some content is super basic ("good idea to get a metro pre-paid card") or overly US specific. But I like the philosophy of doing whatever works for the individual.
Interesting to learn more about his concept of buying a property together with friends, and how the agreements/logistics might look for such a setup.
Now rather curious to explore Vegas/Budapest as nomad locations.
This is above all a fun little excursion into the life of a guy who takes minimalist travel to a whole new level. There are some truly creative but also out-there ideas in this book, from buying apartments in multiple cities around the world with a group of friends, to wearing some kind of Crocs-like shoes that can be worn barefoot so the guy can cut out the weight of a pair of socks from his travel gear.
I didn't find many useful tips and tricks in this book that I can apply as your average digital nomad. But as an insight into the life of a rather peculiar maverick of nomadism, I thought this was a rather fun little read.
This book feels good, I know that sound off but this book clearly explains a lifestyle choice dreams are made of; giving hints, tips, and tricks along the way. If you have ever thought of being a nomad then this a great primer.
Read this book and by the end all you will haer in your head is: Do it, do it, do it!
The book was well written and covered most of bases. It was also realistic, no unnecessary coloring to give the effect that being a nomad is all roses so it prepares you.
Would have liked a review of the writer’s lesser liked cities only because someone else may find it interesting enough to try.
Nice collection of essays about being a person who likes to move around a lot. Some practical tips about how to meet people in a new city, what kind of things to pack, and how to approach a new place as best as possible.
This is definitely a useful guide to nomadic travel, however, for those who have already traveled internationally you won’t find anything too riveting. The tips and tricks for flight deals are probably the most useful part
Exceptional! I thought Forever Nomad was a fantastic read, filled with practical advice for sustainable, long-term travel. The strategies for maximizing perks and saving on travel expenses were especially helpful, even if some parts felt a bit dated.
A quick read that's surprisingly shock full of actionable tips, rather than just selling a lifestyle. I'll keep coming back to this as I get more opportunities to act on the advice.
I love reading Tynan‘s work. Always a lot of great information and so relatable, especially if you dream of becoming a nomad but also just for basic travel.
Pretty good read that gives a first-hand experience being a true digital nomad, with a lot of personal anecdotes and very specific details, down to the cost of flights or names of restaurants.
He doesn't go into super thorough analysis, or research-based evidence but instead writes 28 light chapters covering all topics of digital nomading, about 10 pages each, and gets to the point fast.